Thermoforming method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A thermoforming apparatus having a mold with an internal vacuum chamber and a quench for cooling a thermoplastic sheet while it remains on the mold. Because the quench cools the sheet, conventional cooling lines are eliminated from the mold. One method of using the thermoforming apparatus includes pushing a heated sheet towards the mold with a plug assist, drawing the heated sheet over the mold, creating a partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the mold to maintain the sheet on the mold and quenching the sheet on the mold in a quenching tank by moving the quenching tank to the mold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/951,176, filed Sep. 13, 2001, by James Richard Fitzell, Jr.

The present invention relates to thermoforming and more particularly to a method and apparatus for vacuum forming thermoplastics.

Thermoforming is widely used in a variety of industries to manufacture products from thermoplastic materials, such as high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”). Many different thermoforming processes are currently in widespread use, including vacuum forming, blow molding and the like. A typical thermoforming process involves the general steps of heating a thermoplastic material above its glass-transition temperature, shaping the heated thermoplastic by drawing the material over a mold, cooling the thermoplastic to a low enough temperature for it to retain its shape and then removing the shaped thermoplastic from the mold.

Vacuum forming is perhaps one of the most versatile thermoforming processes in that it is well suited for use in a wide variety of applications. With vacuum forming, a partial vacuum is used to draw a thermoplastic material against a mold. A conventional vacuum forming apparatus is shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus is configured to thermoform a thermoplastic sheet 18. As illustrated, the conventional apparatus 10 generally includes a movable rack 12 carrying sheet 18 in clamps 11, as well as a mold 14 that is positioned over a vacuum head 16. The undersurface of the mold 14 is shaped to cooperate with the vacuum head 16 to define a vacuum chamber 22. A plurality of vacuum holes 20 extend through the mold 14 from the upper surface to the chamber 22. As a result, operation of vacuum head 16 creates a partial vacuum within chamber 22 that draws air into the chamber 22 through the holes 20. During operation, the rack 12 positions over and parallel to the mold 14. The rack 12 then lowers the thermoplastic sheet 18 onto the mold 14 while a partial vacuum is formed in the chamber 22 by vacuum head 16. The vacuum draws the sheet 18 down over the mold 14 to provide consistent, uniformly shaped articles. The vacuum is retained until the sheet 18 has cooled sufficiently to maintain its shape.

To improve manufacturing efficiency, there is an ongoing effort to reduce the cycle time of thermoforming processes. To date, efforts to reduce cycle time have focused primarily on reduction of the time necessary to heat the thermoplastic sheet beyond its glass-transition temperature. For example, research in this area has lead to the development of a variety of faster heating devices. Despite the focus in the industry on heating time, cooling time is also an important factor in overall cycle time, particularly in view of the significant reductions in heating time. In many conventional applications, the mold 14 includes an internal network of coolant lines 26 that circulate a coolant, such as water, to lower the temperature of the mold 14 and consequently the temperature of the sheet 18.

Conventional coolant line arrangements suffer from several significant drawbacks. First, coolant lines present an obstacle with respect to the formation of the vacuum holes 20 in the mold 14. Conventional molds 14 are manufactured by casting the mold in place about the coolant lines. The vacuum holes are then drilled through the mold at the appropriate locations. Because the coolant lines are entrapped within the mold, the vacuum holes must be carefully position so that they do not penetrate or rupture the coolant lines. This may prevent the vacuum holes from being located as would otherwise have been desired. Second, coolant lines typically do not provide uniform temperature across the mold. Instead, coolant lines generally cause different bands of temperature along the mold 14. For example, areas closer to a coolant line will be cooler than those located farther away. This results in non-uniform cooling along the sheet 18. Third, with complex molds, it can be difficult or impossible to locate cooling lines in certain areas of the mold. This reduces the cooling effect of the coolant lines in such areas.

Other techniques that have been used to reduce cooling time include cooling the sheet with water and nitrogen misting devices. These devices spray a mist of water or nitrogen onto the surface of the sheet after the sheet has been drawn over the mold. Although providing some improvement, these techniques are not without drawbacks. First cooling times associated can vary dramatically with these devices depending on ambient air temperature and humidity. Second, misting devices, particularly nitrogen misting devices, can be expensive to install and operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned problems are overcome by the present invention wherein a thermoforming apparatus is provided with a quench for cooling a thermoformed sheet. The mold includes an internal vacuum chamber to hold the sheet, as well as an actuation system to position the mold in a quench to cool the sheet while it remains on the mold.

In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum chamber includes a cabinet that is encapsulated within the mold. The mold defines a plurality of vacuum holes extending from the surface of the mold to the vacuum chamber. The cabinet is substantially coextensive with the mold, thereby permitting the disposition of vacuum holes in substantially any location in the mold.

In another preferred embodiment, the vacuum chamber includes a network of vacuum lines encapsulated within the mold. The mold defines a plurality of vacuum holes extending from the surface of the mold to the vacuum lines.

In another preferred embodiment, the quench includes a cooling tank that is movable towards the mold to position the mold within the tank when the sheet is retained on the mold.

In another preferred embodiment the present invention includes a plug assist that aids in drawing the thermoplastic sheet onto the mold. The plug assist may be actuated to contact the sheet and move the sheet in contact with the surface of the mold.

The present invention also provides a thermoforming method in which the thermoplastic sheet is cooled in a quench while remaining on the mold. The method generally includes the steps of (a) heating a thermoplastic sheet beyond its glass-transition temperature, (b) drawing the heated sheet over a mold having an internal vacuum chamber, (c) maintaining the sheet on the mold by creating a partial vacuum within the vacuum chamber, and (d) quenching the thermoplastic sheet in a quench while the sheet remains on the mold.

The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a thermoforming mold with an internal vacuum chamber. The method generally includes the steps of (a) casting a portion of a mold corresponding to the three dimensional surface of the mold or mold face, (b) positioning a vacuum line or vacuum cabinet opposite the mold face and (c) casting the remainder of the mold around the vacuum line or vacuum cabinet. Vacuum holes may be drilled though the mold face into the vacuum lines or cabinet.

The present invention provides a simple and effective thermoforming method and apparatus that reduces cycle time and is manufactured with only limited changes in conventional mold manufacturing techniques. Because the thermoforming apparatus includes a quench for cooling the sheet, the need for conventional coolant lines is eliminated. This facilitates manufacture of the mold by eliminating the effort needed to avoid the coolant lines when creating vacuum holes in the manufactured mold. Furthermore, use of the quench provides rapid cooling of the thermoplastic sheet at uniform and controlled temperature.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a prior art thermoforming apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a thermoforming apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the thermoforming apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the thermoforming apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a vacuum line network of the thermoforming apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the thermoforming apparatus before vacuum molding a thermoplastic sheet;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the thermoforming apparatus as a sheet is vacuum formed;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the thermoforming apparatus with a thermoplastic sheet drawn on the vacuum mold;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the thermoforming apparatus with the mold in a partially rotated position;

FIG. 10. is a front elevational view of a thermoforming apparatus positioned over the quenching tank;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the thermoforming apparatus as the mold and thermoplastic sheet is submerged in the quenching tank;

FIG. 12A-D show the various steps of a process for manufacturing the thermoforming mold of the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows a first alternative embodiment of the thermoforming apparatus;

FIG. 14 shows the mold being submerged in a quenching tank of the first alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 15 shows a second alternative embodiment of the thermoforming apparatus.

FIG. 16 shows a third alternative embodiment of the thermoformning apparatus.

FIG. 17 shows a fourth alternative embodiment of the thermoforming apparatus.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the fourth alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT I. Overview

A thermoforming system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 and generally designated 100. The thermoforming apparatus generally includes a movable rack 102 that carries thermoplastic sheets 104 through the various stages of a thermoforming process; a loading station 200 for loading sheets 104 onto rack 102, a heater 107 for heating thermoplastic sheets 104, a vacuum mold 108 and a quench 110 for cooling the sheet 104 while it remains on the mold 108. In operation, the thermoplastic sheet 104 is loaded onto the rack 102 at loading station 200 and then carried by the rack 102 to a heating station where it is heated by heater 107. The rack 102 then moves the heated sheet 104 adjacent the mold 108, and the sheet 104 is then drawn over the mold via the creation of a partial vacuum within internal vacuum chamber of the mold 108. The mold 108 then moves in conjunction with frame 109 to quench the sheet 104 in the quench 110 while it remains on the mold 108. For purposes of disclosure, the present invention is described in connection with the formation of parts from HDPE. The present invention is well suited for use in manufacturing a wide variety of products using various thermoformable materials, including other thermoplastic materials.

II. Structure

As noted above, the rack 102 functions to carry the sheet 104 through the various steps of the thermoforming process. In a preferred embodiment, the rack 102 is a generally conventional rotary device that rotates through a horizontal plane about a vertical axis. The rack 102 is configured somewhat like a rotary fan, with multiple, radially-spaced rack arms 102 a-c, so that multiple operations may be performed on multiple sheets simultaneously. In summary, the multiple rack arms 102 a-c permit the simultaneous loading, heating and molding of separate sheets 104. More specifically, sheets 104 arriving on conveyor 103 are loaded onto rack 102 at loading station 200. At the same time, one previously loaded sheet 104 is heated at the heating station 202 by heater 107 and another previously loaded sheet 104 is molded and quenched at the molding station 204 by mold 108 and quenching tank 110.

The rack 102, includes a plurality of clamps 112 arranged in a rectangular configuration. The clamps 112 are positioned to selectively close upon the peripheral margin of the thermoplastic sheet 104. The number and location of clamps 112 will vary from application to application as necessary to adequately hold the sheet 104. The loading station 200 is generally conventional and will not be described in detail here. Briefly, sheets 104 are fed from conveyor 103 and sequentially loaded onto the rack arms 102 a-c at loading station 200. In a preferred embodiment, each sheet 104 is manually positioned on the corresponding rack arm 102 a-c with its peripheral edge disposed in the open clamps 112. As noted above, the sheet 104 can alternatively be positioned on the rack using conventional “pick-and-place” machinery. The clamps 112 are closed about the periphery of the sheet 104 to securely retain the sheet 104 on the rack. The rack 102 also includes a conventional drive and control assembly (not shown) that rotates the rack arms 102 a-c through the various stations. As such, the rack 102 functions to rotate the loaded sheet 104 from the loading station 200 to the heating station 202 and from the heating stations 202 to the molding station 204. Other conventional rack configurations may be substituted for the rotary rack 102, but because of their conventionality, will not be described in detail here.

The heater 107 is generally conventional and will accordingly not be described in detail. In short, the heater 107 of the described embodiment may be any radiant, convection, infrared or other conventional heater, and is preferably provided with standard controls.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the mold 108 includes a three-dimensional surface 116 that is, in a conventional manner, shaped to correspond with the desired product. The mold includes an internal vacuum chamber 114 and a plurality of vacuum holes 117 that extend through the mold 108 from the vacuum chamber 114 to the surface 116. The internal vacuum chamber 114 is preferably defined by a cabinet 118 extending substantially the entire width and depth of the mold 108. The cabinet 118 functions as a large vacuum manifold that is easily intersected by vacuum holes 116. The cabinet 118 preferably includes a vacuum inlet 120 that extends from the mold 108 and terminates in a fitting 122 for connecting the cabinet 118 to a conventional vacuum (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 5, the internal vacuum chamber can alternatively be defined by a network of lines 118′ entrapped within the mold 108′. The network 118′ preferably includes a plurality of parallel lines interconnected to a vacuum inlet 120′. The precise location of the lines 118′ is preferably generic, for example, spaced evenly every 6 inches alone a single plane. Alternatively, the location of the lines can be application specific, for example, the lines can be located only in areas where vacuum holes are desired. In applications incorporating vacuum lines 118′, it is necessary to ensure that the vacuum holes 117′ penetrate the vacuum lines 118′.

With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the mold 108 is carried by an actuation system 160 that selectively moves the mold 108 into and out of the rack arms 102 a-c and also into and out of quench 110. In general, the actuation system 160 includes four vertically disposed cylinders 164 a-d that provide the mold 108 with vertical movement, a carriage 166 mounted atop the vertical cylinders 164 a-d, a platen 172 rotatably mounted within the carriage 166, and a drive assembly 180 that rotates the platen 172 to provide the mold 108 with rotational movement.

The four vertically disposed pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 164 a-d are preferably mounted directly to the floor or to a frame (not shown) disposed within or upon the floor. The cylinders 164 a-d are preferably operated by a conventional control system (not shown) that extends and retracts the cylinders 164 a-d in unison. The carriage 166 is mounted atop the pneumatic cylinders 164 a-d to move vertically with the cylinders. The carriage 166 is a substantially rectangular framework having a pair of motor supports 168 a-b. The motor supports 168 a-b are centrally located on opposite lateral ends of the carriage 166.

The platen 172 is a generally rectangular structure that supports the mold 108 and is fitted within the carriage 166. The platen 172 includes a pair of axles 174 a-b extending from opposite lateral ends of the platen 172. The axles 174 a-b are centrally located and are fitted into corresponding bearing or bushing assemblies (not shown) in the carriage 166. A platen gear 185 a-b is mounted over each axle 174 a-b.

The drive assembly 180 includes a pair of electric drive motors 182 a-b mounted on motor supports 168 a-b. A drive gear 184 a-b is mounted on the shaft of each motor 183 a-b. A drive chain 186 a-b operatively interconnects the motors 182 a-b and the platen 172. More specifically, a drive chain 186 a-b is fitted over each drive gear 184 a-b/platen gear 185 a-b combination so that operation of motors 185 a-b results in rotation of the platen 172. The respective sizes of the drive gears and platen gears are selected to provide the desired drive ratio. Typically, this ratio will be selected in view of the characteristics of the drive motors 182 a-b and the desired mold rotation speed. The described actuation system 160 is merely exemplary and may be replaced by any of wide variety of actuation systems capable of moving the mold 108 into and out of the quench 110.

The quench 110 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-11, and generally includes a reservoir 113 containing a volume of quenching fluid 115. The quench 110 is preferably disposed immediately below the mold 108 so that the mold 108 and thermoformed sheet 104 can be lowered into the quench 110 immediately after forming. In the described embodiment, the reservoir 113 is a tub of sufficient size to receive the formed part 105 while it remains on the mold 108. The quenching fluid 115 is preferably water, but may be oil, coolant or other liquids. If desired, the quenching fluid 115 can alternatively be a non-liquid substance having substantially fluid-like characteristics. For example, the quenching fluid 115 can be a vibrating mass of ceramic beads (not shown).

The temperature of the quenching fluid 115 or other quenching medium is preferably maintained by a conventional temperature control system (not shown). The temperature control system may include chillers and/or heaters as needed to maintain the quenching medium at the desired temperature. Chillers and heaters capable of maintaining the quenching medium at a desired temperature are well known. By maintaining the quenching fluid at a substantially constant temperature, the cooling time of the formed part can also be held substantially constant. Each time the mold 108 and thermoplastic sheet 104 are submerged in the quenching fluid 115 and cooled, the temperature of the fluid 115 optionally may be tested and cooled to maintain it at a desired temperature.

II. Operation

Operation of the present invention will be described with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 6-11. In operation, the sheet 104 is loaded into the rack 102 at a loading station 200. More specifically, one from the rack arms 102 a-c is positioned adjacent loading station 200. Clamps 112 are opened to prepare the rack 102 to receive the sheet 104. The sheet 104 is then positioned on the rack 102 within its peripheral edges located between the open jaws of the corresponding clamps 112. The sheet 104 can be positioned manually or through the use of conventional “pick and place” machinery. Once the sheet 104 is positioned, the clamps 112 are closed to grip the peripheral edges of the sheet 104.

The rack 104 then rotates to advance sheet 104 to a heating station 202 where heat is applied to the sheet 104 with heater 107. The rack 104 is typically automated, for example, by gear- or chain-driven rotation and translation (not shown). The rack 102 may alternatively be set-up as a conventional track-fed system to move sheets 104 to different stations. If desired, the rack 102 may be moved manually. At the heating station 202, the heater 107 applies the desired amount of heat energy to the sheet 104. Typically, the sheet 104 will be heated a predetermined number of degrees above its glass-transition temperature.

With reference to FIG. 2, the rack arm 102 a, b or c carrying the heated sheet 104 is then rotated to the molding station 204, which is best shown in FIG. 6. In the mold station, the rack 102 b aligns the sheet 104 over the mold 108. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the mold 108 is raised into contact with the sheet 104 by extension of the vertical cylinders 164 a-d. At the same time, the vacuum source is switched on, creating a partial vacuum within the vacuum chamber 114 and drawing air through the vacuum holes 116 (FIGS. 3 and 5). The mold 108 is raised until the sheet is sufficiently drawn onto the three-dimensional surface of the mold. Once the sheet 104 is drawn fully over the vacuum mold 108, the clamps 112 release so that the formed sheet 104 is free to move with the mold 108. As shown in FIG. 8, the mold 108 is then withdrawn from the arm 102 with cylinders 164 a-d. In an alternative embodiment, the rack 102 may be provided with a vertical drive mechanism that permits the appropriate rack arm 102 a-c to be lowered to bring the sheet into contact with the surface of the mold 108 and then raised after the sheet 104 has been released on the mold 108.

Next, the actuation system 160 lowers the mold 108 and sheet 104 into the quench 110. With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the drive assembly 180 first rotates the platen 172 about 180 degrees so the mold 108 is suspended beneath the carriage 166 in an inverted orientation. The platen 172 is rotated by operation of motors 182 a-b. The motors 182 a-b rotate the drive gears 184 a-b, which in turn drive the drive chains 186 a-b. Movement of the drive chains 186 a-b causes rotational movement of the platen gears 185 a-b and ultimately the platen 172.

Once the platen 172 is rotated as shown in FIG. 10, the carriage 166 is lowered by operation of the vertical cylinders 164 a-d. As shown in FIG. 11, the vertical cylinders 164 a-d are retracted in unison, thereby lowering the carriage 166 and immersing the mold 108 and sheet 104 into the quench 110. The mold 108 and sheet 104 remain submerged in the quench 110 for a predetermined period of time selected to permit the sheet 104 to cool sufficiently so that it does not undergo deformation when removed from the mold 108. The mold 108 is then lifted from the quench 110. The vertical cylinders 164 a-d are extended in unison lifting the carriage 166, platen 172, mold 108 and sheet 104 from the quenching fluid 115. Once the vertical cylinders 164 a-d are sufficiently extended, the platen 172 is rotated 180 degrees by drive motors 182 a-b to return the mold 108 to the upright position. The vacuum is then released, preferably by opening the vacuum chamber 114 (FIGS. 3 and 5) to the environment. The sheet 104 may then removed from the mold 108 by reversing the vacuum and blowing the sheet 104 (now fully formed into a part) off from the mold 108. Optionally, the sheet is removed by hand or by a conventional pick-and-place mechanism, and placed on conveyor 105 for further processing (FIG. 2). The process is repeated for the desired number of sheets.

III. Manufacture of the Mold

The mold 108 is preferably manufactured in the process shown in FIGS. 12A-D. In general, the process includes defining a mold impression 455 in mold media 454, positioning a vacuum cabinet 118 or vacuum lines 118′ (collectively referred to as a vacuum chamber 114), pouring molten material into the mold impression 455 over or around the vacuum chamber 114 to form the mold 108. After the mold 108 is removed from the casting box 450, vacuum holes may be drilled through the mold face at pre-selected positions to provide fluid communication between the vacuum chamber 114 and the environment.

With further reference to FIGS. 12A-D, the mold media 454 preferably is sand or other conventional casting media. This media is disposed in casting box 450. As shown in FIG. 12A, a casting tool 452 is pressed into the media 454 to create an impression of the tool in the media. The tool 452 is generally conventional and is preferably of wood, carved in the shape of the desired mold and thermoformed article. As will be appreciated, other conventional molding tools or techniques may be used to form an impression in the media 454.

Referring now to FIG. 12B, the molding tool 452 is withdrawn from the box 450, leaving a mold impression 455 in the media 454.

As shown in FIG. 12C, the vacuum chamber 114 (defined by vacuum cabinet 118 or vacuum lines 118′) is suspended in the mold impression 455. The vacuum chamber 114 is preferably held in the desired location by wire or other conventional techniques. As noted above, the vacuum chamber 114 is preferably a hollow cabinet 118 constructed of virtually any material that does not substantially deform when in contact with the molten material used to cast the mold 108. Preferably, the vacuum cabinet 118 is aluminum alloy, but other materials may be used, depending on the casting material and the amount of allowable deformation of the cabinet. The vacuum chamber 114 may alternatively be defined by a network of vacuum lines 118′. In such applications, the vacuum lines 118′ may be arranged in a coil form as shown. Optionally, the lines may be in any pattern to optimize the vacuum source available to the exterior contours of the mold face 480. For example, the vacuum lines 118′ may be defined in a grid-like pattern or the lines may arranged so that they are closest to the areas of the mold face 480, i.e., the valleys or crevices of the three-dimensional surface, that require the most draw to pull thermoplastic into them during a thermoforming operation. Moreover, both a cabinet 118 and a vacuum line 118′ may be positioned and cast into the mold 108 in certain applications as desired.

The next step is illustrated in FIG. 12D. In this step, casting material is poured into the mold impression 455, conforming to the contours thereof. The casting material is preferably aluminum, but any commercially available metal, alloy or synthetic material may be used to form the mold, as the application requires. Preferably, casting material is poured to fill the mold impression 455 extending over and entrapping the vacuum chamber 114. The casting material fills the contours of the mold impression 455 to form a three-dimensional surface of ridges and valleys, or the “mold face” 480. Alternatively, the vacuum chamber 114 can be secured to the undersurface of the mold 108 after the mold has been cast.

Although not separately illustrated, the molten material is permitted to cure and the formed mold 108 is removed from the cavity. Once removed from the cavity, a plurality of vacuum holes may be drilled, punched or otherwise formed through the mold face to provide fluid communication between the vacuum chamber 114 and the mold face 480. Because the mold does not include conventional cooling lines, the vacuum holes may be drilled without worry of damaging one of such lines. Ultimately, many more positions are available through which vacuum holes may be drilled.

IV. First Alternative Embodiment

A first alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. This embodiment includes most of the same components of the preferred embodiment, except the drive assembly. The hydraulic cylinders 264 a-d are similar to the hydraulic cylinders of the preferred embodiment, except that the rams 265 a-d preferably are telescoping and that the carriage 272 is fixed to the carriage supports 273 a-d, a distance below the tops of the supports 278 a-d. In operation, the mold 208 is lifted in unison by the hydraulic telescoping cylinders 264 a-d to engage a sheet 104 supported on the rack 202 b in a manner identical to that of the preferred embodiment. The mold 208 is shown in the raised position in FIG. 13 in phantom lines. When the mold 208 is withdrawn with the sheet 104 vacuum drawn against it, rather than rotating, the carriage platen 272 is drawn downward in unison by the hydraulic cylinders 264 a-d, until as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 14 the carriage 272 is positioned within the quenching tank 213. There, the sheet 104 is cooled and formed as described in connection with the preferred embodiment. After the sheet 104 is permitted to cool sufficiently, the hydraulic cylinder rams 265 a-d are extended in unison, lifting the carriage 272, mold 108 and sheet 104 from the quenching tank 213. The sheet 104 may be removed from the mold with any of the techniques described in connection with the preferred embodiment or other conventional removal techniques. This process may be repeated as desired to mold a number of sheets.

V. Second Alternative Embodiment

A second alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 15. The forming apparatus shown in FIG. 15 generally includes an inverted mold 308 mounted to carriage 372 which is further mounted to inverted hydraulic cylinders 364 a-d. In operation, the hydraulic cylinders lower carriage 372 and mold 308 down through rack arm 302 b so that the sheet 104 may be drawn against the mold 308 as described in the preferred embodiment. The carriage 372 is further descended in unison by the hydraulic cylinders 364 a-d so that the mold 308 and sheet 104 associated with it are positioned in the quenching tank 313 where the liquid 314 is permitted to cool the sheet 104. The mold 108 is shown in the fully lowered position in FIG. 15 in phantom lines. Once the sheet 104 is sufficiently cooled it may be withdrawn on the mold 308 via the hydraulic cylinders 364 a-d. The sheet 104 may be removed from the mold with any of the techniques described in connection with the preferred embodiment or other conventional removal techniques. This process may be repeated as desired to mold a number of sheets.

VI. Third Alternative Embodiment

A third alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 16, the forming apparatus generally includes an inverted mold 408 similar to the inverted mold of the second alternative embodiment. The mold 408 is mounted to a carriage 472 which is further mounted to inverted hydraulic cylinders 464 a-d. Actuation of the cylinders 464 a-d moves the mold vertically between a first position shown in solid lines in FIG. 16 and a second position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 16. In addition, the reservoir 413 of the quench 410 is mounted to a plurality of vertically extending hydraulic cylinders 450 a-d. As shown, the reservoir 413 is conventionally mounted to the cylinders 450 a-d such that the bottom surface 452 of the reservoir rests on top of the cylinders 450 a-d. Alternatively, the quench may be mounted to a carriage similar to the carriage 472, or otherwise conventionally attached to the cylinders 450 a-d. The cylinders 450 a-d can be actuated to raise and lower the reservoir 413 between a first position shown in solid lines in FIG. 16 and a second position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 16. In operation, the hydraulic cylinders 464 a-d lower carriage 472 and mold 408 down through rack arm 102 so that the sheet 104 may be drawn against the mold 408 as described in the preferred embodiment. After the sheet 104 is drawn on the mold 408, the hydraulic cylinders 450 a-d are actuated to raise the quench reservoir 413 up to the mold 408 so that the mold 408 and the sheet 104 associated with it are submersed in the liquid 414 and cooled. Although FIG. 16 shows the mold 408 and sheet 104 fully submerged in the quench, the quench reservoir 413 may be lifted so that only a portion of the mold 408 and sheet 104 are submerged. For example, the quench reservoir 413 may be lifted so that only the shaped portion of the sheet in submerged and the peripheral marginal portion is left to cool without the benefit of direct contact with the quench. Once the sheet 104 is sufficiently cooled it may be withdrawn from the mold 408 by lowering the reservoir 413 and/or by raising the mold 408. The sheet 104 may be removed from the mold with any of the techniques described in connection with the preferred embodiment or other conventional removal techniques. This process may be repeated as desired to mold a number of sheets.

VII. Fourth Alternative Embodiment

A fourth alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. This embodiment includes the forming apparatus described in the third embodiment, and further includes a plug assist 500 that aids in the process of drawing the sheet 104 over the mold 408. This may be particularly helpful in situations where the heated thermoplastic sheet 104 sags while hanging in the rack arm 102. The plug assist 500 is generally comprised of aluminum or another suitable material and is sized approximately the same as the perimeter 406 of the mold 408. Referring now to FIG. 18, the plug assist 500 is a rectangular frame including left and right parallel members 502 and 504, and front and back parallel members 506 and 508. A pair of parallel inner rails 510 and 512 are disposed inside the frame members extending parallel to the left and right members 502 and 504. The inner rails 510 and 512 and the front and back members 506 and 508 form a rectangle that is approximately the size of the perimeter 406 of the mold 408. The precise shape and configuration of the plug assist 500 will, however, vary from application to application to engage and lift the sheet as desired. For example, a circular plug assist frame may be provided to interact with a circular mold. In some applications, it may be preferable for the plug assist frame to be shaped so that it does not engage any portions of the sheet that will be visible in the finished product. This is because the plug assist may affect the finish of the formed sheet in some applications. In these applications, the plug assist frame may be shaped to engage only the peripheral marginal portion of the sheet or other portions of the sheet that will be trimmed. The plug assist 500 is conventionally mounted on hydraulic cylinders 520 a-d so that the plug assist 500 may be raised and lowered vertically when the cylinders 520 a-d are actuated. As shown, the plug assist 500 is mounted so that the rails 510 and 512 are on top of the cylinders, however, any number of well known attachment techniques maybe used. In operation, the mold 408 is lowed with hydraulic cylinders 464 a-d down through the rack arm 102 so that the sheet 104 can be drawn over the mold 408. As the sheet 104 is drawn on the mold 408, the plug assist 500 is raised with cylinders 520 a-d to contact the sheet 104 and push the sheet 104 up to the surface 522 of the mold 408. The cylinders 520 a-d can be actuated before or after the vacuum source is switched on. Since the plug assist 500 is sized approximately the same as the perimeter 406 of the mold 408, the plug assist 500 pushes the sheet into contact with the perimeter 406 of the mold 408, thereby creating a seal between the sheet 104 and the surface 522 of the mold to aid the vacuum in drawing the sheet 104 over the mold 408. After the sheet 104 is drawn over the mold 408, the reservoir 413 is raised as described in the third embodiment to position the sheet 104 and the mold 408 in the quench liquid 415 to be cooled. Alternatively, any other quenching method can be used, such as the method described in the second alternative embodiment wherein the mold is lowered into the reservoir after the sheet is drawn over the mold. Once the sheet 104 is sufficiently cooled it may be withdrawn on the mold 408 by lowering the reservoir 413 or by raising the mold 408. The sheet 104 may be removed from the mold with any of the techniques described in connection with the preferred embodiment or other conventional removal techniques. This process may be repeated as desired to mold a number of sheets.

The above description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. 

1. A method of thermoforming, comprising: providing a vacuum mold having an internal vacuum chamber; heating a thermoplastic material; drawing the heated thermoplastic material over the vacuum mold, including drawing a partial vacuum in the internal vacuum chamber and contacting the heated thermoplastic with a plug assist; and cooling the formed thermoplastic material by quenching the thermoplastic material while the thermoplastic material remains on the vacuum mold.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said contacting step includes the step of actuating the plug assist to push the thermoplastic material towards the vacuum mold.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said contacting step includes the step of pushing the thermoplastic material with the plug assist so that the thermoplastic material contacts the a surface of the vacuum mold.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said contacting step includes the step of pushing the thermoplastic material with the plug assist such that the thermoplastic material contacts the surface of the vacuum mold at a perimeter of the vacuum mold.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of cooling the thermoplastic material includes moving a reservoir containing cooling liquid towards the vacuum mold so that the formed thermoplastic material is positioned in the reservoir while it is on the mold.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the reservoir is mounted on a plurality of hydraulic cylinders and said moving step includes actuating the hydraulic cylinders.
 7. A thermoforming apparatus, comprising: a vacuum mold having a surface and an internal vacuum chamber, said mold defining a plurality of vacuum holes extending between said surface and said vacuum chamber; a quench containing a quenching media for cooling a thermoplastic material retained on said mold; and quench actuation means for moving said quench towards said mold so that at least a portion of said mold is positioned within said quench while a thermoplastic material is retained on said mold, whereby at least a portion of the thermoplastic material is in direct contact with said quenching media.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising mold actuation means for moving said mold from a first position above said thermoplastic material to a second position wherein said thermoplastic material is contacted by and retained on said mold.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said quench includes a reservoir and said quench media is further defined as a quenching fluid, said reservoir being of sufficient size to receive said mold while a thermoplastic material is retained on said mold.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a temperature control means for maintaining said quenching fluid at a substantially constant temperature.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 comprising a rack for holding at least one sheet of the thermoplastic material in a supported position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a plug assist that is actuatable to push said thermoplastic material onto said surface of said mold.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said plug assist is a frame that is actuatable to contact said thermoplastic material and push said thermoplastic material onto a perimeter of said surface of said vacuum mold.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said frame is actuated by hydraulic cylinders.
 15. A thermoforming apparatus comprising: a vacuum mold having a surface and an internal vacuum chamber; a thermoformable sheet; a plug assist that is actuatable to contact said thermoformable sheet and move said sheet towards said surface of said vacuum mold; a cooling tank; and an actuator system for moving at least one of said mold or said cooling tank to cool said thermoformable sheet in said cooling tank while said sheet is retained on said mold.
 16. The thermoforming apparatus of claim 15 wherein said vacuum mold includes a perimeter and said plug assist is a frame that is sized approximately the same as said perimeter.
 17. The thermoforming apparatus of claim 16 comprising a rack to hold at least one thermoplastic sheet.
 18. The thermoforming apparatus of claim 17 wherein said actuator system includes a mold actuation means for driving said mold through said rack towards said sheet.
 19. The thermoforming apparatus of claim 18 wherein said actuator system includes a tank actuation means for moving said tank to said mold so that said mold is positioned within said tank when said sheet is retained on said mold.
 20. The thermoforming apparatus of claim 19 wherein said actuator system is operated by a plurality of pneumatic cylinders. 